A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

A federal judge sentenced a former Arkansas judge Wednesday to five years in prison — a stiffer punishment than prosecutors recommended — after he admitted giving young male defendants lighter sentences in return for personal benefits that included sexual favours.

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Aust farmers optimistic about year ahead

Australian farmers remain cautious, but mildly optimistic about the coming year despite the onset of a drought-inducing El Nino weather pattern.

Strong demand for beef, lamb and wool has driven positive sentiment in rural Australia with 82 per cent of farmers believing conditions will improve or remain similar to those experienced in 2014-15.

Rabobank group executive Peter Knoblanche said while the accumulative effect of historically low interest rates, high commodity prices and the depreciation of the Australian dollar was aiding farmers, the weather would be the key determinant of confidence.

"Most of southern Australia has received good autumn rain, which has supported farmers' cropping programs and given pastures a boost going into winter, although follow-on rains will be needed," he said.

Despite the positivity, the Bureau of Meteorology's latest seasonal climate outlook paints a different picture.

The report, released in Melbourne on Thursday, illustrated that the El Nino pattern has already begun to have a drying effect on eastern Australia.

The prospect of a drier-than-usual winter has especially unsettled Queensland farmers, with 64 per cent expecting conditions to worsen next year even though large parts of the state are already in drought.